Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

Bacterial skin infections are commonly encountered in primary care. The skin is our largest organ and is an important barrier to infection. When this barrier is compromised, normal skin flora can lead to infections. These are often gram-positive infections but, in some settings, can be caused by other infectious agents. These types of infections include both suppurative and non-suppurative infections. These conditions can range from impetigo to abscesses to cellulitis. Being able to identify these infections accurately can help to plan the proper treatment course that can vary from incision and drainage to intravenous antibiotics.